Edward Snowden Inspires Bill To Reform Security Clearance Process

A bipartisan group of senators announced Wednesday they are introducing the Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement (SCORE) to reform the security clearance procedure in the wake of the leaks made by National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden. According to a statement from the senators, the bill "improves oversight of the security clearance process, calls for the government to fire background check investigators and suspend others – including contractors – who falsify reports, and forces the government to update its policy determining which positions require a security clearance."

The SCORE Act was introduced by Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Ron Johnson (R-WI). Additionally, the senators also sent a letter to Government Accountability Office Comptroller General Gene Dodaro asking the GAO to examine the security clearance process and provide a report.

"Recent events force us to take a close look at what the federal government is doing in the name of national security and how well we are protecting classified information," Tester said in a statement. “Taxpayers are footing the bill for these programs and we need to make sure they are meeting the expectations of the American people. This bill gives investigators the tools they need to hold folks accountable and protect our national security.”